THIBODAUX, La. -- After shaking off early Southland play jitters in a comeback victory over Lamar earlier this week, the Nicholls State University men's basketball program (3-5, 1-1 Southland) aims to wrap up the team's three-game home stretch on a high note against rival Southeastern Louisiana (2-8, 0-1 Southland), hosting the Lions as the latter end of a doubleheader with women's basketball on Saturday, Jan. 9 at Stopher Gym, tip set for approximately 5 p.m.

WHAT: Nicholls vs. Southeastern Louisiana | Game Notes
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 9 | 5 p.m.
WHERE: Stopher Gym | Thibodaux, La.
MEDIA: Live Stats | Watch | Listen -- 100.3 FM ESPN New Orleans

Following another strong evening of positive ball control, the Colonels find themselves ranked first conference-wide in fewest turnovers per game, surrendering just 13.1 on average across eight total games of play. Further, the Red & Gray have managed to maintain their decent positioning on the turnover margin leaderboard as well, garnering fourth since near the season's outset and currently boasting a one of just five positive margins in the league (+2.5).

Offensively, redshirt junior Najee Garvin's explosive second half against Lamar (15 points) along with redshirt senior Andre Jones' recent resurgence (back-to-back double digit performances) has lessened the necessity for team scoring leader Ty Gordon (13.8 ppg) to take over late in games. Garvin, along with every other Colonel, continues to search for the squad's first double-double of the year, as the South Carolina native has now come up short two boards or less on three separate occasions.

COMPLETE PROGRAM BREAKDOWN
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• Austin Claunch remains in his third season at the helm for the Red & Gray, sporting a 38-32 (23-17 SLC) overall record with the Colonels.
• The team boasts seven seniors: G Kevin Johnson, C Ryghe Lyons, G Jeremiah Buford, G Andre Jones, G Jaylen Fornes, F Damien Sears and G Shawn Williams.
• This year's roster is highlighted by 11 newcomers, including: six transfers from fellow Division I collegiate programs, two who joined the ranks via JUCO programs and another trio who signed on directly from high school. Of the six DI transfers, three -- redshirt senior G Jaylen Fornes (UNC-Wilmington) along with redshirt juniors G Isaac Johnson (Western Illinois) and F Najee Garvin (Charlotte) -- are of specific note, as each enter the season with one full year with the program after sitting out 2019-20 due to NCAA transfer restrictions.
• This season's depth chart features seven players from across the state of Louisiana, a pair from Little Rock, Ark., and one from each of the following: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Minnesota and Texas.
• The Colonels were projected to finish fourth in the Southland Conference, per the league's preseason poll. Notably, Nicholls had yet to notch a single-digit ranking since the 2014-15 poll, in which the Red & Gray pulled off an eighth-place finish.
• Nicholls returns two of last season's five starters: senior G Kevin Johnson and redshirt senior G Andre Jones.

With the early three-game home slate concluded, the Red & Gray must turn their attention to a similarly-lengthy trio of road contests over the next week and a half, initially traveling to Northwestern State for a battle with the Demons on Wednesday, Jan. 13.

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